Ecology Blueprints

Welcome to Ecology Blueprints, where wildlife and human ecology meet. This blog celebrates the wonder of nature, exploring the wildlife that thrives in our oceans, skies, cities, and wild spaces. Whether you’re here to learn, build, or be inspired, you’re in the right place. At OBDK, we believe every space should be a classroom, so you’ll find our Conservation in a Box blueprints on this page—real tools for real-world stewardship.

Good Ecology. Better Outcomes.

What Is Wildlife Telemetry?

Have you heard of banding? It’s a way to keep track of certain animals. It involves putting a small band (sometimes multiple) around a bird’s leg.

February 16, 2022
By OBDK
How Do Birds Attract Mates?

Birds of all kinds will do their best to attract a mate for the breeding season in the spring. Their efforts show off their strength and health – proving to the females that they’ll pass on strong genes to the offspring.

February 14, 2022
By OBDK
Deep Dive: Spectacled Owls

The Spectacled Owl is named because of the markings on its face that make it look like it’s wearing glasses! They have dark brown feathers on their face, with white streaks between and around the eyes.

February 07, 2022
By OBDK
Is There a Difference Between a Raptor and a Bird of Prey?

Have you ever considered what the criteria are for a bird to be a raptor? It can get pretty complicated. Mostly because A, some people usually use the term “raptor” interchangeably with the term “bird of prey”; B, because some people also only use “raptor” to discuss birds that are Falconiformes; and C, because scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what classifies a bird as a raptor.

February 04, 2022
By OBDK
Deep Dive: Northern Saw-whet Owls

Northern Saw-whet Owls are pretty common owls that live in forest environments.  They can usually be found in mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, and they’ll make their nests in the cavities of trees.

January 24, 2022
By OBDK
Deep Dive - Boreal Owl

They stand about 8-9 inches tall and have a wingspan of 21-24 inches.  They have “extreme reversed sexual dimorphism”, which means the females are larger than the males and weigh almost double what the males do.

January 17, 2022
By OBDK
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